I can see that. Do you think the Somali rendition is an injustice?
No right thinking Kenyan politician would create a seperate state for muslims in Kenya. What part of ‘Kenya is 90% non-muslim (christian majority) do you not understand?
It's not that I don't understand the Christian majority. What I don't understand is a presidential candidate advocating the creation of a separatist state.
It is reported that Odinga won the election, but through negotiations including Koffe Annan, Kabiki retained the presidency. How do you explain this?
Obama is very popular within Kenya (understandbly).
Yes. Understood.
Kenya is a VERY IMPORTANT ally in the war against terror (Look at a map and see where Kenya lies). Kenya has been of great help to both Britain and Israel (the ‘raid on Entebbe’ Israeli commandoes used Kenyan facilities).
Understood. That is exactly why an understanding of Odinga and his policies would be important to an American.
We (conservatives) should not try to piss off the Kenyans. The last thing we want is for it to be politically difficult for a democratically elected Kenyan politician to stick his neck out to aid the US.
That statement seems to support my concerns about Odinga. Are you suggesting that Odinga would use a repudiation of Barack Obama by the American electorate as a rationale for further political upheaval in Kenya?
Rendition is not popular ANYWHERE (even in Britain our closest ally). Odinga did not advocate the creation of a separatist state (Remember Odinga also won the majority of the Christian vote). In Sub-Saharan African Muslims have a very healthy respect for Christian majorities (I can assure you).
Odinga won the election, but agreed to a power sharing agreement to stop the bloodshed simple as that. Americans generally have a rose-tinted view about democracy, can’t blame them the’ve always had it easy. Democracy can be very bloody business. (If you doubt it study the Indian experience).
Odinga spent some time last year in the States, so I don’t think he is anti-US. He will definitely not be pro-China. The US (Condi Rice, State Department and Barack Obama) showed leadership in resolving the crisis. (He drives a hummer and is one of the richest men in Kenya).
There are few places as pro-US as Sub-Saharan Africa. President Bush was treated like a Rock Star during his recent trip to Africa. Unfortunately this is the region least understood and most prone to media stereotypes and lazy journalism from the West.
I want to stretch your mind a bit. I understand that Americans are in a thrall and have a deep fear for Islam, but do you understand the impact of Christianity in Sub-Saharan African politics. Why do you (and most Westerners) continue to insist that Christianity has little or no role to play in politics? Why do you continue to underestimate the role of Christianity in African politics.
I have seen all sorts of ‘sophisticated analysis’ about Africa and the religion that all the Harvard PhDs suggest is of any relevance is Islam. How wrong and how silly!